The 2024–25 Cymru Premier (Welsh: Uwch Gynghrair Cymru 2023–24; known as the JD Cymru Premier for sponsorship reasons) will be the 33rd season of the Cymru Premier (formerly known as the Welsh Premier League), the highest football league within Wales since its establishment in 1992.
| Season | 2024–25 |
|---|---|
| Dates | 10 August 2024 – 10 May 2025 |
← 2023–24 2025–26 → | |
Teams edit
Twelve teams will contest the league – the top ten teams from the previous season, and one team each promoted from the second-tier leagues, the Cymru North and Cymru South. The New Saints will enter the season as defending champions (for the third consecutive season).
On the 9th of April 2024, Briton Ferry Llansawel became the first side to secure promotion to the Cymru Premier for the 2024–25 season, after securing the 2023-24 Cymru South title with one game to spare.[1] It would be Briton Ferry's first season in the top flight of Welsh football, although the club's former guise Briton Ferry Athletic were founding members of the then League of Wales, and spent four season in that league in the 1990s.
After 2023-24 Cymru North leaders Holywell Town failed to secure a tier one licence, and opted not to appeal against the decision, Flint Town United were promoted, just one season after being relegated on the final day of the 2022-23 Cymru Premier season.[2]
Pontypridd United were the first team to be relegated from the 2023-24 Cymru Premier, after failing in their appeal to not be granted a tier one licence.[3] A defeat on the final day of the season to Aberystwyth, as well as a nine-point deduction throughout the season meant the Treforest side ended in the relegation zone regardless. Colwyn Bay were also relegated on the final day of the season, after Aberystwyth's result against Ponty consigned Colwyn to a bottom two spot, despite Bay's 1–0 victory over Barry.[4]
Team changes edit
To Cymru Premier editPromoted from the Cymru North Promoted from the Cymru South
|
From Cymru Premier editRelegated to the Cymru North Relegated to the Cymru South
|
Stadia and locations edit
| Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aberystwyth Town | Aberystwyth | Park Avenue | 5,000 |
| Bala Town | Bala | Maes Tegid | 3,000 |
| Barry Town United | Barry | Jenner Park Stadium | 2,650 |
| Briton Ferry Llansawel | Briton Ferry | Old Road | 2,300 |
| Caernarfon Town | Caernarfon | The Oval | 3,000 |
| Cardiff Metropolitan University | Cyncoed | Cyncoed Campus | 1,620 |
| Connah's Quay Nomads | Flint | Cae-y-Castell | 3,000 |
| Flint Town United | Flint | Cae-y-Castell | 3,000 |
| Haverfordwest County | Haverfordwest | Bridge Meadow Stadium | 2,100 |
| Newtown | Newtown | Latham Park | 5,000 |
| Penybont | Bridgend | SDM Glass Stadium | 3,000 |
| The New Saints |  Oswestry
|
Park Hall | 2,034 |
Personnel and kits edit
| Team | Head coach | Captain | Kit manufacturer | Front shirt sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aberystwyth Town |  Anthony Williams
|
Jack Thorn
|
Acerbis | Aberystwyth University |
| Bala Town | Colin Caton
|
Macron | Aykroyd's | |
| Barry Town United | Jonathan Jones
|
Kayne McLaggon
|
Macron | RIM Motors |
| Briton Ferry Llansawel | Andy Dyer
|
Alex Gammond
|
Macron | Woodpekcer Garden Buildings |
| Caernarfon Town | Richard Davies
|
Darren Thomas
|
Errea | Gofal Bro Cyf |
| Cardiff Metropolitan University | Ryan Jenkins
|
Kyle McCarthy
|
Errea | Cardiff Metropolitan University |
| Connah's Quay Nomads | Neil Gibson
|
 John Disney
|
Adidas | Castle Green Homes |
| Flint Town United | Lee Fowler
|
Macron | Essity | |
| Haverfordwest County | Tony Pennock
|
Dylan Rees
|
Macron | Clegg Gifford / The Athletic |
| Newtown | Scott Ruscoe
|
Shane Sutton
|
Errea | Control Techniques |
| Penybont | Rhys Griffiths
|
Kane Owen
|
Macron | Nathaniel Car Sales |
| The New Saints | Craig Harrison
|
Chris Marriott
|
Macron | SiFi Networks |
Conference League play-off edit
Teams placed 2nd-7th will enter one-off play-off matches for the third spot in the Conference League first qualifying round. This marks a change to the previous format, where it would only be teams placed 3rd-7th in the play-offs. However, due to the league losing a place in the Conference League due to its poor co-efficient score, the format was changed to include the 2nd placed team. The teams finishing 2nd and 3rd will receive byes to the play-off semi-final, whilst the other teams involved will play quarter-finalss. However, if the league champions also win the Welsh Cup, then the 2nd placed team will automatically qualify for Europe, and the 3rd placed team will receive a bye to the play-off final.[5]
References edit
- ^ Ben Thomas (9 April 2024). "Briton Ferry promoted to Cymru Premier after four-goal haul from Luke Bowen". Y Clwb Pêl-Droed. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
- ^ "Flint Town United clinch promotion back to the JD Cymru Premier". Football Association of Wales. 16 April 2024. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
- ^ "Cymru Premier: Pontypridd face relegation after FAW Tier 1 licence appeal fails". BBC Sport. 18 April 2024. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
- ^ "Cymru Premier round-up: Colwyn Bay down as Aberystwyth stay up and New Saints finish unbeaten". BBC Sport. 21 April 2024. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
- ^ "2024/25 JD Cymru Premier European qualification explained". FAW. 16 May 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.